Help Me Hank: Help Me Hank! Mailbox mystery

You know the mail carriers’ credo -- neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night keeps these guys from their appointed rounds.

So, when Diane Chapman bought a newly built townhouse, she expected mail.

Diane Chapman
"As soon as I signed, and we closed for the house, I changed my mail, I changed my address to this address."

With the house number on and the mailbox up, Diane phoned family and friends with her new address.

Diane Chapman
"I just expected that I would have my parents’ and my family's cards come, 'Congratulations on your new home.'"

Everyday, Diane would check for deliveries, but no deal.

Diane Chapman
"Everyday, the mailbox is empty and I just... it's so crazy. It's crazy."

She called the post office and griped.

Diane Chapman
"I just want to understand what’s going on, and why can't I get my mail."

Meanwhile, everyday she had to make a mail run and drive to the post office to pick up her letters and magazines.

Diane Chapman
"My mother said you need to call 'Help Me Hank.'"

Turns out, it wasn't rain or gloom of night that was causing Diane’s delivery dilemma. It was post office rules.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
"So do people automatically get to-your-door mail delivery?"

Robert Cannon, U.S. Postal Service
"Generally, no."

Here’s why: in new homes, the builder has to confer with the post office and decide in advance if delivery will be to the door, to the entryway or to the curbside.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
"So, this is a decision that should be made before anyone moves in?"

Robert Cannon, U.S. Postal Service
"Correct. Hopefully before construction begins."

But Diane’s delivery decision had been delayed, until we called and put it into fast forward. And watch what happened next.

Diane Chapman, you've got mail! And now you don't have to drive to get it.

Diane Chapman
"Oh my goodness. It's going to save time. It's going to save us aggravation. We're going to have our mail, and it's going to feel just great."

And here's a fun fact: the post office says since 1980, most new homes do not get to-your-door delivery, because it’s just too expensive.

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